Æ (XX-XXI) - “Metropolis: Awakening of the Machine” (2026) – Hand-finished, signed, numbered & CoA
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Æ presents a hand-finished, signed and numbered pair of mixed-media portraits titled “Metropolis: Awakening of the Machine” (2026), a limited edition set of 4, each 37 × 22 cm (total 37 × 44 cm), produced in Spain in 2026, using pastel, spray paint and other media to depict Maria from Metropolis in a conceptual art style.
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Description from the seller
**Æ2381 (Spain, b. 1977) – Metropolis: Machines of Tomorrow (2026) – Set of 2 – Limited Edition**
**BUNDLE!!** You are bidding on a set of **2 original hand-finished mixed-media artworks** from Æ’s *Metropolis Series*, presenting two complementary visions of **Maria, the Maschinenmensch** from Fritz Lang’s legendary *Metropolis* (1927).
Reimagined through Æ’s distinctive fusion of **Japanese retro-futurism, vintage robotics and underground manga**, each artwork is individually hand-finished, hand-signed and numbered from a **strictly limited edition of only 4 unique variations**.
◉ **Total size:** 37 × 44 cm — 2 artworks, each 37 × 22 cm
◉ **Limited edition of only 4 unique variations**
◉ Hand-finished using spray paint and pastel crayons
◉ Hand-signed and individually numbered
◉ Certificate of Authenticity with holographic security seal
◉ Acid-free **Hahnemühle Japanese Sumi-e rice paper**
◉ Individually registered in the artist’s official catalogue
### Metropolis: Machines of Tomorrow
Almost a century after *Metropolis*, Maria remains one of cinema’s most iconic visions of the artificial human — simultaneously beautiful, mechanical and unsettling.
In these two compositions, Æ transports the Maschinenmensch from German Expressionism into an imagined universe of **Japanese science fiction, vintage robots and cosmic retro-futurism**.
Maria appears as a monumental mechanical presence surrounded by planets, futuristic architecture and smaller robotic figures. Human features merge with exposed machinery, while the compositions evoke **1970s Japanese underground manga, vintage science publications, classic tin robots and imaginary robotics manuals**.
Large Japanese typography, halftones, cross-hatching and distressed printing give the works the appearance of **lost pages from an alternative history of robotics**.
Viewed together, the pair suggests a progression:
**The machine awakens. The machine enters the city.**
### About the Artist
**Æ (Spain, b. 1977)** holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Digital Design & Multimedia Technologies (Barcelona, 2004) and a Bachelor’s Degree in East Asian Studies.
His work combines contemporary graphic design with Japanese visual culture, experimental print aesthetics and technological nostalgia. His artworks are held in private collections in **more than 30 countries worldwide**.
Æ’s work has also been reviewed by exhibition curator **Thierry Fournier (Artnoises)**, who described it as merging *“the civilizational DNA of the future and the past.”*
### Collector Information
The artworks are shipped promptly after payment with **professional packaging, insurance and tracking**, accompanied by their Certificate of Authenticity.
Frames shown in presentation photographs are **not included**. Combined shipping is available for multiple purchases.
**PRO & TOP Seller — 100% positive feedback. Bid with confidence.**
Seller's Story
Æ (ae2381) is a contemporary multimedia artist with formal training in Multimedia Engineering and East Asian Studies (Barcelona, 2004–2008). His practice merges modern visual language with Japanese pop culture and traditional aesthetics, creating bold, narrative-driven compositions that bridge East and West.
Extensive travels through Japan and Indonesia have deeply shaped his vision, infusing his work with a sensitivity to everyday beauty, ritual, and regional craft traditions that continue to guide his creative direction.
An original work by Æ is held in the Oriental Art Collection of the Zaragoza Museum, forming part of the institution’s permanent holdings.
All official listings are available exclusively on Catawiki — bid with confidence.
**Æ2381 (Spain, b. 1977) – Metropolis: Machines of Tomorrow (2026) – Set of 2 – Limited Edition**
**BUNDLE!!** You are bidding on a set of **2 original hand-finished mixed-media artworks** from Æ’s *Metropolis Series*, presenting two complementary visions of **Maria, the Maschinenmensch** from Fritz Lang’s legendary *Metropolis* (1927).
Reimagined through Æ’s distinctive fusion of **Japanese retro-futurism, vintage robotics and underground manga**, each artwork is individually hand-finished, hand-signed and numbered from a **strictly limited edition of only 4 unique variations**.
◉ **Total size:** 37 × 44 cm — 2 artworks, each 37 × 22 cm
◉ **Limited edition of only 4 unique variations**
◉ Hand-finished using spray paint and pastel crayons
◉ Hand-signed and individually numbered
◉ Certificate of Authenticity with holographic security seal
◉ Acid-free **Hahnemühle Japanese Sumi-e rice paper**
◉ Individually registered in the artist’s official catalogue
### Metropolis: Machines of Tomorrow
Almost a century after *Metropolis*, Maria remains one of cinema’s most iconic visions of the artificial human — simultaneously beautiful, mechanical and unsettling.
In these two compositions, Æ transports the Maschinenmensch from German Expressionism into an imagined universe of **Japanese science fiction, vintage robots and cosmic retro-futurism**.
Maria appears as a monumental mechanical presence surrounded by planets, futuristic architecture and smaller robotic figures. Human features merge with exposed machinery, while the compositions evoke **1970s Japanese underground manga, vintage science publications, classic tin robots and imaginary robotics manuals**.
Large Japanese typography, halftones, cross-hatching and distressed printing give the works the appearance of **lost pages from an alternative history of robotics**.
Viewed together, the pair suggests a progression:
**The machine awakens. The machine enters the city.**
### About the Artist
**Æ (Spain, b. 1977)** holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Digital Design & Multimedia Technologies (Barcelona, 2004) and a Bachelor’s Degree in East Asian Studies.
His work combines contemporary graphic design with Japanese visual culture, experimental print aesthetics and technological nostalgia. His artworks are held in private collections in **more than 30 countries worldwide**.
Æ’s work has also been reviewed by exhibition curator **Thierry Fournier (Artnoises)**, who described it as merging *“the civilizational DNA of the future and the past.”*
### Collector Information
The artworks are shipped promptly after payment with **professional packaging, insurance and tracking**, accompanied by their Certificate of Authenticity.
Frames shown in presentation photographs are **not included**. Combined shipping is available for multiple purchases.
**PRO & TOP Seller — 100% positive feedback. Bid with confidence.**
Seller's Story
Æ (ae2381) is a contemporary multimedia artist with formal training in Multimedia Engineering and East Asian Studies (Barcelona, 2004–2008). His practice merges modern visual language with Japanese pop culture and traditional aesthetics, creating bold, narrative-driven compositions that bridge East and West.
Extensive travels through Japan and Indonesia have deeply shaped his vision, infusing his work with a sensitivity to everyday beauty, ritual, and regional craft traditions that continue to guide his creative direction.
An original work by Æ is held in the Oriental Art Collection of the Zaragoza Museum, forming part of the institution’s permanent holdings.
All official listings are available exclusively on Catawiki — bid with confidence.
Details
Sold by
Direct from the artist
Edition
Limited edition
Edition number
4
Artist
Æ (XX-XXI)
Title of artwork
“Metropolis: Awakening of the Machine” (2026) – Hand-finished, signed, numbered & CoA
Technique
Mixed media, Pastel, Spray paint
Signature
Hand signed
Country of origin
Spain
Year
2026
Condition
Excellent condition
Height
37 cm
Width
66 cm
Depiction/theme
Portrait
Style
Conceptual art
Period
2020+
